(AQW 3787/01)

The Minister for Employment and Learning (Ms Hanna): The Department for Employment and Learning does not have information available on the type of school attended prior to enrolment on higher education courses.

(AQW 3799/01)

Ms Hanna: To date, a total of 14 Equality Impact Assessments have been carried out by my Department.

Identifiable invoiced costs are as follows:

• Student Support Review 
  (printing and distribution costs) £3,400
  

• Changes to Employment Legislation
  13 Equality Impact Assessments
  (Research and Consultation costs) £17,110

My Department makes every effort to keep the costs of conducting Equality Impact Assessments to a minimum. The Department does not routinely collate information in relation to in house preparation and ancillary costs associated with the completion of Equality Impact Assessments.

(AQW 3823/01)

(a) The University of Ulster provides a number of places on PGCE (secondary) courses and the decision on how they are split over the various disciplines at both the Coleraine and Jordanstown campuses is at the discretion of the university. All places on the courses are normally filled.

(b) The number of successful applicants will be the same as the number of enrolments, given in the table in part (a).

(c) Number of Republic of Ireland domiciled, full-time enrolments on PGCE (secondary) courses at the University of Ulster, Coleraine campus 1997/98 – 2001/02

(AQW 3848/01)

Ms Hanna: My Department will seek to ensure that it complies fully with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. To this end, an Information Manager has been appointed to oversee all corporate information matters. This includes preparation of the Publication Scheme in time to meet the November 2002 deadline.

(AQW 3860/01)

Ms Hanna: I will complete my review of the operation of the Individual Learning Accounts scheme as it applied in Northern Ireland, and announce my intentions for the future as soon as possible. It is important to absorb fully the lessons from the original ILA national framework, and in particular to take account of the work of the Employability Task Force, in shaping new arrangements to encourage and widen participation in adult learning.

(AQW 3982/01)

Ms Hanna: I have noted with regret the announcement of the closure of Dunnes Stores in Kilkeel with the loss of 36 full and part time jobs.

My local JobCentre manager in Kilkeel has already been in contact with local Dunnes Stores management and has put in place arrangements to offer the full range of JobCentre services to all staff affected by the closure.

(AQW 3659/01)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): [holding answer 5 June 2002]: The development of renewable energy projects is a matter for the private sector. My Department would only generally become aware of the development of projects when planning permission is being sought and/or an application is made for a generating licence. It is known, however, that planning permission is currently being sought for 2 wind farms (one in Co Tyrone and the other in Co Fermanagh).

Public funding for renewable energy projects is provided through EU grants, and various UK and Northern Ireland support schemes. In the 5 years ending March 2002 a total of £2,781,995.72 was paid to developers of a range of eligible projects in Northern Ireland. Within this total the amounts allocated to wind, solar and wave projects is as follows:

• £447,302.85 for wind energy;

• £97,224.80 for solar energy; and

• £126,985 for an integrated wind/wave project.

(AQW 3704/01)

For the years ending 31 March 2000 and 2001, the full listings of the third parties who received selective financial assistance are published in the NITB annual accounts contained in the NITB Annual Reports. These Reports are held in the Assembly Library. The Annual Report for 2001-2002 is not yet available

(AQW 3726/01)

Sir Reg Empey: My Department and Invest NI recognise the potential of Londonderry and the North West to develop as an economic hub as envisaged in the Regional Development Strategy.

We are committed to working with local partners to help those in the North West progress from the high level vision for the region towards conceiving solid new Developmental ideas that will help the region to fulfill its potential.

We believe that the availability of the Ebrington site is of major strategic importance to the overall economic potential, not only of the Waterside but of Londonderry and indeed the wider North West. We are supportive of the partnership concept being proposed to look at how the site could be best developed and would be eager to play a role in the consultations that will undoubtedly occur regarding the site. The development of the site needs to be set in the context of other opportunities such as Atlantic Cross at Dupont, the plans of the Londonderry Port & Harbour Commissioners for Fort George, the plans for development of the University of Ulster and North West Institute for Further & Higher Education and, of course, those of a number of private developers in the city.

(AQW 3740/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Invest NI’s remit is for all of Northern Ireland. Part of this remit is to encourage an increase in the overall level and quality of new start up businesses and to stimulate growth in established businesses through a range of initiatives and services.

The budget allocated for those initiatives and services is based on anticipated demand and need and covers all of Northern Ireland rather than at sub-regional level.

(AQW 3742/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Invest NI’s remit is for all of Northern Ireland. It encourages new inward investment to locate in appropriate areas based on a range of criteria including availability of labour skills and infrastructure. Particular focus is given to New TSN areas which include West Tyrone.

(AQW 3771/01)

Sir Reg Empey: As the company is currently in Administration, the Administrator is responsible for running the affairs of the company. Invest NI is awaiting the Administrator’s proposals for re-establishing the business on a viable footing, and this will enable Invest NI to determine what role it may be able to play in facilitating the future development of the business.

(AQW 3772/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The company is currently in Administration and we are awaiting proposals from the Administrator on the way forward. I hope these proposals will establish a basis for re-establishing the business on a commercial footing, but until these are to hand it is not possible to provide an assessment of the long- term viability of the company.

(AQW 3794/01)

Sir Reg Empey: DETI has issued four EQIA’s to date for consultation. The following table details these EQIAs and their associated costs:

(AQW 3825/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Costs associated with producing LEDU’s Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) document of it’s Policy Area 1, "To maximise the sustainable growth of small businesses in Northern Ireland (through increased competitiveness") are shown in the following table.

There were no external costs associated with research/ creation of this document.

(AQW 3826/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) administers the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2000-2004 which includes funding for marketing projects that will assist Northern Ireland position itself in the global marketplace. To date in 2002-2003 no allocations have been made to projects in the West Tyrone area but applications are under consideration by NITB. Further applications for assistance under this initiative will be welcome for projects located in the West Tyrone area.

(AQW 3834/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The problems of the global economy have impacted on Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector. The latest available data shows that manufacturing output fell by 8.8% over the year to December 2001, and by 3.5% over the quarter September 2001 to December 2001.

It does not appear that the recent decline of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing output will be reversed in the short term. The latest CBI/Business Strategies Limited Regional Trends Survey (May 2002) reports continued pessimism amongst Northern Ireland’s manufacturers concerning the general business situation. The survey indicates that total orders recorded a pronounced decline in the last quarter (to March 2002) and a further, albeit smaller, fall is expected in the coming months. Despite this general pessimism, it is pleasing to note that export optimism has turned positive for the first time in over a year.

It is also worth noting that despite the decline in industrial manufacturing the small firms sector in Northern Ireland continues to out perform its counterparts in GB. In fact, the recent Engineering Output Survey from the Engineering Employers Federation indicates that Northern Ireland is the only region in the UK that projects an increase in total output over the next 3 months.

(AQW 3849/01)

Sir Reg Empey: In anticipation of the demands of Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation, and of other emerging requirements relating to records management, my Department appointed an Information Manager to coordinate the necessary preparatory measures.

DETI has also established an internal network of local information managers, comprising representatives from the Department’s main business areas and NDPBs. This provides us with a channel for disseminating information and guidance on FOI and other matters and for coordinating action required at branch and division level.

To meet our obligations in respect of publication schemes, a programme of work has already been completed to gather required inputs from the various business areas of the Department. A draft publication scheme incorporating these inputs has been produced and is currently being reviewed by senior officials within the Department. Work is also ongoing to format a web version of the scheme.

In summary, we are on course to meet the November 2002 deadline for completion of this work.

(AQW 3896/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The Manager has been given a verbal and written reprimand about his failure to produce appropriate documentation.

He has also been given a written warning about his conduct in relation to duplicate and personal claims. This stressed the need for absolute accuracy when submitting expenses claims and the need for full supporting documentation.

(AQW 3945/01)

Sir Reg Empey: The lands, in question, were acquired by the then Electricity Board for Northern Ireland, in the 1970s, to facilitate a pump storage electricity generation scheme which did not proceed. They are therefore being disposed of by Northern Ireland Electricity plc (NIE) in accordance with a Disposal Strategy drawn up by the company and approved by the electricity Regulator under the terms of a formal Consent granted by the Regulator. The strategy involves offering the lands back to their original owners or their successors in title.

I am informed by NIE that: (a) at 31 May 2002, there remained 17 outstanding cases in which individuals have applied to purchase lots of land; (b) in 7 of the cases the company is waiting for the purchaser to complete the contract, in 8 cases negotiations between the company and the prospective purchaser are ongoing on a variety of matters, for example, clarification of rights of way, one case is the subject of litigation, and in the remaining case a number of members of the same family have applied to purchase the same portion of land; and (c) it is not possible to give a timescale for completion of all outstanding cases, since this depends on the legal process and the complexity of each case, and is not within the company’s direct control.

(AQW 3983/01)

Sir Reg Empey: Since the closure announcement of Youngs Bluecrest, Kilkeel on Thursday 2nd May Invest NI officials have been in ongoing contact with a wide range of interested parties in an attempt both to avoid closure, if possible, and to address the ramifications if Youngs Bluecrest do indeed cease trading in Kilkeel.

Invest NI has written to Youngs Bluecrest on two separate occasions to set up a meeting to discuss the following issues:

To understand the basis of the closure decision and to investigate if there is any possibility of Youngs Bluecrest (UK) Limited reconsidering or amending their plans.

To investigate alternative usage for Youngs Bluecrest, Kilkeel and to discuss the possibility of non-competing usage, and

To discuss any other possible solutions.

I regret to say that Invest NI is still awaiting a response from Youngs Bluecrest.

There is a strong demand for skilled labour in this sector and I understand that other Kilkeel fish processing companies will be in a position to offer employment to approximately 40 employees of Youngs Bluecrest in the event of closure.

Currently Invest NI officials are involved in discussions with other interested parties in an attempt to minimise the potential employment losses in Kilkeel.

(AQW 3708/01)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Nesbitt): The enforcement of the legislation governing litter and fly- tipping is a matter for district councils.

The Litter (NI) Order 1994 provides district councils with powers to serve fixed penalty fines (currently £25) for littering. The provisions of the Order are further enforceable through the courts, where littering offences carry a maximum fine of £2,500.

The practice generally referred to as fly-tipping is an offence under Article 5 of the Pollution Control and Local Government (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5000 or on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to an unlimited fine or both. The fines and jail term may be increased where the waste in question is of a hazardous nature.

District councils also have powers under Article 16 of the 1978 Order to require the occupier of the land to remove fly-tipped waste and to take any necessary remedial action. Failure to comply with such a notice is an offence liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £2500 and to a further fine of £1000 for each day that the offence continues.

The 1978 Order also provides district councils with powers to remove fly-tipped waste and to recover its costs from the occupier or from the person responsible for the fly-tipping, if known.

Similar provisions in the Waste and Contaminated Land Order (NI) 1997, replacing those in the 1978 Order, will come into operation when new Waste Management Regulations are made, probably in autumn 2003. The 1997 Order penalties for fly-tipping are in some respects more severe; for example, the maximum fine penalty on summary conviction will be increased from £5000 to £20,000.

While I expect that the penalties for littering and fly-tipping act as a deterrent, the problem which remains is how to make those responsible for these activities, who can be very difficult to trace or apprehend, amenable to the enforcement powers of District Councils.

(AQW 3728/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The unauthorised discharge, referred to in AQW 3548/01, originates from the Downpatrick Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), which is the responsibility of the Water Service, an Agency of the Department for Regional Development.

The discharge, which occurs intermittently particularly in periods of heavy rain, is a result of sewage surcharging through a manhole cover inside the works, and flowing through the site fence, directly into a downstream waterway.

(AQW 3800/01)

Mr Nesbitt: No specific discussions have taken place with the European Commission in relation to the implementation of Waste or Waste Packaging Directives. In the general context, and to the extent that resources permit, my officials provide advice to Whitehall Departments on the Northern Ireland position within the overall UK negotiations on new European Community Directives and on discussions between the UK and the Commission in relation to the transposition and implementation of existing Directives. This is part of the ongoing development of EC law.

Apart from this ongoing indirect communication, senior officials from my department met with senior European Commission officials in February this year to discuss issues around the transposition and implementation of environmental Directives. The purpose of that meeting was to fully inform the Commission of the efforts being made by the Department to deal with the large backlog of untransposed Directives inherited from the period of Direct Rule. In the course of the visit an invitation to the Director General to visit Northern Ireland was issued. It is hoped this invitation will be taken up later in the year.

As the need arises and on a case by case basis, officials also raise detailed transposition or implementation issues with their counterparts in the Commission. Discussions on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive are a recent example of this.

(AQW 3816/01)

(a) The sea pen Virgularia mirabilis is found in Carlingford Lough. It is found on all British and Irish coasts but is less frequent in the south. There are three species of sea pen found in the British Isles, but this is the only one found in Carlingford Lough.

(b) The upper part of the Lough is shallow and the seabed consists of a plain of fine muddy sand. The sea pens are found in dense colonies in the shallower waters (0-5m).

(c) There have been two surveys undertaken on behalf of my Department’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS): - (i) the Northern Ireland Sublittoral Survey published in 1986;and (ii) the Estuarine Classification Monitoring Program published in 1997. The former was a diving project and the sea pens were recorded at six of the sites. The latter was a "grab sampling" programme which found examples of the species but did not indicate the extent of the colonies.

(d) In August 2001, EHS commissioned Queen’s University to undertake a project entitled ‘Marine Survey and Mapping (Benthic Habitats) of Northern Ireland’. The object was to provide information on the extent and distribution of benthic communities and species around our coasts. This work will help identify sites of national and international conservation importance and inform the selection and management of sites under the Habitats Directive. A report is due in March 2003 and will be published shortly thereafter.

(AQW 3824/01)

Mr Nesbitt: My department and other local road safety agencies and departments are committed to using research and analysis of the causes of road collisions involving deaths and serious injuries in guiding our efforts aimed at road casualty reduction.

The investigation of road traffic collisions and the attribution of cause and responsibility is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The PSNI annual report, "Road Traffic Accident Statistics", provides a summary of the road traffic injury accidents reported to the police including the main causes of collisions and the types of road user responsible for them.

In some collisions, other factors which contribute to the cause of the collision, in addition to the principal cause, may be identified. However, the principal focus of PSNI’s statistical analysis is on the identification of the main causes of collisions to inform road safety policy and assist targeting resources at road casualty reduction.

The PSNI’s statistical information on collision causation factors is used by my Department in the development and direction of road safety education and publicity, by the Department for Regional Development in developing road engineering measures, including accident remedial and traffic calming schemes, and by the PSNI for targeting its education and enforcement activities.

Research and statistical analysis of the causes of road fatalities also underlie the development of the Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy to 2012, which will be published in Summer 2002.

I am advised that the PSNI is monitoring a current Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) examination of collision investigation methodology in Great Britain and will consider the findings of this examination with a view to providing more accurate determination of the causes of road collisions in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 3870/01)

Mr Nesbitt: A dedicated unit has been established within my Department to take forward the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, of which the Publication Scheme is one element. Work on the Scheme has commenced and it is anticipated that it will be sent to the Information Commissioner for approval around the beginning of September.

(AQW 3882/01)

(a) As indicated in my previous answer, I intend to update the review of the regulation of the road haulage industry in Northern Ireland undertaken in 1998 when resources and other departmental work priorities permit. It is not possible to be precise at this stage about when that might be.

(b) I can, however, confirm that this review, when it takes place, will be comprehensive, robust and inclusive of the areas addressed in the 1998 consultation.

(AQW 3928/01)

Mr Nesbitt: I refer the Member to my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s reply to AQW 3927/01 of 14 June 2002

(AQO 1533/01)

Mr Nesbitt: My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service routinely consults with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on all proposed nature conservation designations, including Areas of Special Scientific Interest. This consultation ensures that any agricultural, forestry and fishery interests in the area to be designated are brought to the attention of my officials and, if necessary, to me.

This close working relationship between the two Departments continues after declaration. The Environment and Heritage Service consults the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on all prospective management agreements with landowners and occupiers of Areas of Special Scientific Interest.

There are also consultations between the two Departments on policy and legislative matters connected with Areas of Special Scientific Interest and other statutory designations. In particular, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was consulted on my Department’s proposals for a new Areas of Special Scientific Interest Bill, which I plan to introduce into the Assembly in the next session.

(AQO 1511/01)

Mr Nesbitt: There are no current planning applications for new housing development in Strangford. My Department’s Environment and Heritage Service has advised that they wish to discuss the level of treatment in the Strangford Waste Water Treatment Works with the Department for Regional Development’s Water Service. These discussions are in hand to see if a satisfactory solution can be achieved.

(AQO 1545/01)

Mr Nesbitt: In the UK as a whole, around 10 billion plastic bags are given away each year. That constitutes a significant source of landfill and an equally significant source of litter.

Taxation is an excepted matter, so we do not have in Northern Ireland the powers that would enable us to introduce a levy independently of the rest of the UK.

I am aware that Michael Meacher at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has given notice that he intends to press for the introduction of a similar levy. It is my intention to support DEFRA in this. In particular I will raise the issue at meetings of the Environment Sector of the British-Irish Council.

In the meantime I have asked my officials to explore any option which might have an equivalent effect to the levy. They are engaging in discussions with the supermarket sector to look at the possibility of developing a voluntary scheme to encourage consumers to reduce the current excessive use of plastic bags.

The experience of the Republic of Ireland has shown that people are willing to act with greater environmental responsibility when given appropriate encouragement. I am hopeful that we can build constructively on the heightened awareness of waste issues brought about by my Department’s recent ‘Wake up to Waste’ campaign and by District Councils’ consultations on their draft Waste Management Plans.

(AQO 1530/01)

Mr Nesbitt: It would not be lawful for me to impose a moratorium on planning applications, as my Department has a statutory duty to process and determine any valid planning application which it receives.

Accordingly, once all material planning information relating to a proposed development has been received and fully considered, including consultation replies together with any other representations received, my Department is under a legal obligation to determine that application. That obligation could not be set aside during the lengthy period required to undertake the Review of Public Administration.

The member may also be aware that Article 33 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 provides an applicant, in all but major cases designated under Article 31 of that Order, with the right to appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission on the grounds that his or her application has not been determined by my Department within laid down timescales.

[In any case it would not be practicable to define "contentious" in a manner which would not be open to abuse.]

(AQO 1541/01)

Mr Nesbitt: In the general context, resources permitting, my officials provide advice to Whitehall Departments on Northern Ireland perspectives within the overall UK negotiations on new European Community Directives. This is part of the ongoing development of EC law.

Apart from this ongoing indirect communication, senior officials from my department met with senior European Commission officials in February this year to discuss issues around the transposition and implementation of environmental Directives. The purpose of that meeting was to fully inform the Commission of the efforts being made by the Department to deal with the large backlog of untransposed Directives inherited from the period of Direct Rule. It is hoped that senior Commission officials will visit Northern Ireland later in the year to continue the dialogue opened up in February.

As the need arises and on a case by case basis, officials also raise detailed transposition or implementation issues with their counterparts in the Commission. Discussions on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive are a recent example of this.

(AQO 1534/01)

Mr Nesbitt: The Rosses Quay private residential development to the rear of 24 Warrenpoint Road, Rostrevor, was granted full planning permission on 2 March 2000.

The residential development has been substantially completed in accordance with approved plans. However works have been undertaken to the shore and beach which have raised concerns about the impact of the development on the adjoining Area of Special Scientific Interest. Concern has also been expressed that these works impinge on third-party lands and affect an existing right-of-way.

The Divisional Planning Office has discussed these matters with the developer, and an application for retrospective permission for these coastal protection works involving a wall and rock armour has been submitted and is currently under consideration. Progress on this application will be influenced by the resolution of the land-ownership and right-of-way issues.

The planning approval for the residential development is a valid permission, which has been substantially implemented. I have no basis for making any fresh assessment of it. My officials are currently considering the application for the coastal protection works.

(AQO 1538/01)

Mr Nesbitt: With the Speaker’s permission I will take Questions 1538/01, 1539/01 and 1549/01 together.

Under the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, my Department may list a building on the basis of it having special architectural or historic interest. The Lisburn Road area of Belfast was surveyed during the late 1970s as part of the First Survey of all buildings in Northern Ireland. 16 Ashley Avenue, the former Heaney home, did not meet the listing criteria at that time.

In October 1999, the Belfast Civic Trust requested that the building be spot-listed. My Department does not have spot-listing powers but is seeking such powers in the Planning Amendment Bill, which I introduced into the Assembly today. Notwithstanding this, the Environment and Heritage Service carried out an external appraisal. It concluded that, although it was a fine Victorian house, a full appraisal under the Second Survey of all buildings, then under way, was not appropriate as the building did not have sufficient special interest to meet the listing criteria. Later requests to consider listing the property, received in 2000 and 2002, were given a similar response.

When my Department was told recently of rumoured plans to demolish the house, I instructed my officials to approach the developer seeking an opportunity to undertake a full Second Survey appraisal, with a view to re- considering the case for listing. The developer chose not to do so and demolition began on the eve of the survey. I must emphasise that, as the house was neither listed nor in a Conservation Area, no statutory approvals were needed for its demolition.

(AQO 1539/01)

Mr Nesbitt: With the Speaker’s permission I will take Questions 1538/01, 1539/01 and 1549/01 together.

Under the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, my Department may list a building on the basis of it having special architectural or historic interest. The Lisburn Road area of Belfast was surveyed during the late 1970s as part of the First Survey of all buildings in Northern Ireland. 16 Ashley Avenue, the former Heaney home, did not meet the listing criteria at that time.

In October 1999, the Belfast Civic Trust requested that the building be spot-listed. My Department does not have spot-listing powers but is seeking such powers in the Planning Amendment Bill, which I introduced into the Assembly today. Notwithstanding this, the Environment and Heritage Service carried out an external appraisal. It concluded that, although it was a fine Victorian house, a full appraisal under the Second Survey of all buildings, then under way, was not appropriate as the building did not have sufficient special interest to meet the listing criteria. Later requests to consider listing the property, received in 2000 and 2002, were given a similar response.

When my Department was told recently of rumoured plans to demolish the house, I instructed my officials to approach the developer seeking an opportunity to undertake a full Second Survey appraisal, with a view to re-considering the case for listing. The developer chose not to do so and demolition began on the eve of the survey. I must emphasise that, as the house was neither listed nor in a Conservation Area, no statutory approvals were needed for its demolition.

(AQO 1549/01)

Mr Nesbitt: With the Speaker’s permission I will take Questions 1538/01, 1539/01 and 1549/01 together.

Under the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, my Department may list a building on the basis of it having special architectural or historic interest. The Lisburn Road area of Belfast was surveyed during the late 1970s as part of the First Survey of all buildings in Northern Ireland. 16 Ashley Avenue, the former Heaney home, did not meet the listing criteria at that time.

In October 1999, the Belfast Civic Trust requested that the building be spot-listed. My Department does not have spot-listing powers but is seeking such powers in the Planning Amendment Bill, which I introduced into the Assembly today. Notwithstanding this, the Environment and Heritage Service carried out an external appraisal. It concluded that, although it was a fine Victorian house, a full appraisal under the Second Survey of all buildings, then under way, was not appropriate as the building did not have sufficient special interest to meet the listing criteria. Later requests to consider listing the property, received in 2000 and 2002, were given a similar response.

When my Department was told recently of rumoured plans to demolish the house, I instructed my officials to approach the developer seeking an opportunity to undertake a full Second Survey appraisal, with a view to re-considering the case for listing. The developer chose not to do so and demolition began on the eve of the survey. I must emphasise that, as the house was neither listed nor in a Conservation Area, no statutory approvals were needed for its demolition.